Dynamic creation of color test patterns for improved color calibration

Abstract

A method for calibrating a printer includes printing a first set of color samples with the printer, reflecting at least a portion of the printer gamut. Each printed color sample in the set of samples is measured calorimetrically, to determine the printer's response thereto. The colorimetric response is compared with a predictive model of printer behavior for that portion of the printer gamut. In a portion of the printer gamut wherein the calorimetric response differs from predicted printer behavior, the printer generates a new set of color samples, for printing. The new set of color samples is secondarily measured to determine the printer's colorimetric response thereto; and using the initial measurements and the secondary measurements, a color calibration table is generated for use by the printer in converting device independent colors to device dependent colors.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for calibrating a printer comprising: 
       printing a first set of color samples with said printer selected to reflect at least a portion of a printer gamut;  
       initially measuring each printed color sample in said set to determine said printer's calorimetric response thereto;  
       comparing said colorimetric response with a predictive model of printer behavior for said printer gamut;  
       for at least one portion of said calorimetric response which differs from predicted printer behavior, generating a new set of color samples, reflecting said portion of said calorimetric response, for printing by said printer;  
       secondarily measuring each of said printed new set of color samples set to determine said printer's calorimetric response thereto;  
       using said initial measurements and said secondary measurements to generate a color calibration table for use by said printer in converting device independent colors to device dependent colors.  
     
     
       2. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first set of color samples is selected to be dispersed throughout the printer gamut. 
     
     
       3. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said initial measurement is made in a CIE color space coordinate system, or a color space coordinate system which is an analytic transform thereof. 
     
     
       4. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said predictive model of printer behavior is based at least partially on a Neugebauer function. 
     
     
       5. The method as defined in  claim 1 , where said predictive model of printer behavior is based at least partially on a Beer's Law function. 
     
     
       6. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said predictive model of printer behavior is based on a combination of printer models. 
     
     
       7. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one portion of said calorimetric response differs from predicted printer behavior by a threshold amount, before invoking generation of a new set of color samples. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said new set of color samples represents a selection of samples from a subset of said printer gamut, less than said printer gamut. 
     
     
       9. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said secondary measurement is made in a CIE color space coordinate system, or a color space coordinate system which is an analytic transform thereof. 
     
     
       10. The method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said calibration table is a look up table mapping device independent colors to device dependent colors, for use by an interpolation process. 
     
     
       11. The method as defined in  claim 1 , where said printing step is accomplished exclusively within said printer. 
     
     
       12. The method as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said printing step prints color samples on a reusable surface within said printer. 
     
     
       13. A method for calibrating a printer comprising: 
       printing a first set of color samples representative of at least a portion of a printer gamut;  
       comparing said first set of color samples with a predictive model of printer behavior for said portion of said printer gamut;  
       generating a new set of color samples in areas where a difference between said first set of color and said predictive model is greater than desire;  
       using said first set of color samples and said new set of color samples to calibrate said printer.  
     
     
       14. The method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said first set of color samples is selected to be dispersed throughout the printer gamut. 
     
     
       15. The method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said predictive model of printer behavior is based at least partially on a Neugebauer function. 
     
     
       16. The method as defined in  claim 13 , where said predictive model of printer behavior is based at least partially on a Beer's Law function. 
     
     
       17. The method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said predictive model of printer behavior is based on a combination of printer models. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 13 , wherein said new set of color samples represents a selection of samples from a subset of said printer gamut, less than said printer gamut. 
     
     
       19. The method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said calibration of said printer includes generating a look up table mapping device independent colors to device dependent colors, for use by an interpolation process.